Guggenheim museum

The Guggenheim Museum

Presentation by Sofia Bollini, Giulia Capucci and Filippo Negri

01. Frank Lloyd Wright

Biography

• Early Life: Born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, on June 8, 1867.
• Architectural Apprenticeship: Apprenticed under Allen D. Conover in Madison and later refined skills in Chicago under Louis Henry Sullivan.
• Establishment of Own Practice: Founded own practice in 1893, marking the beginning of a prolific career.
• Travels and Influences: Traveled to Japan and Europe, drawing inspiration from diverse cultural and architectural landscapes.
• Legacy: Left behind a lasting legacy of innovative design and visionary thinking upon his death in 1959.

01. Frank Lloyd Wright

Historical and Geographical Context

• Midwestern Roots: Born and raised in the Midwest amidst a period of societal and industrial change.
• Chicago as Hub of Innovation: Chicago provided fertile ground for architectural experimentation and economic growth during Wright's formative years.
• Influence of Cultural and Intellectual Trends: Exposure to transcendentalist writings and societal interest in environmentalism shaped Wright's architectural philosophy.
• Impact of Economic Events: The economic crisis of 1929 prompted Wright to explore theoretical research and rethink traditional approaches to architecture and urban planning.
• Global Travel and Cultural Exchange: Travel to Japan and Europe broadened Wright's horizons, exposing him to new architectural forms and cultural influences.

01. Frank Lloyd Wright

Idea of Architecture

• Organic Architecture: Wright's philosophy emphasized harmony between buildings and nature, reflecting a deep reverence for the environment. Wright's believed in architecture as a reflection of nature and a fusion of form and function.
• Integration of Natural Surroundings: Believed architecture should emulate nature's adaptive growth, with buildings seamlessly blending into their surroundings.
• Innovative Design Principles: Pioneered concepts like "organic architecture" and challenged traditional notions of city planning with projects like Broadacre City.

• Continued Influence: Wright's ideas continue to shape architectural discourse and practice, inspiring generations of architects worldwide.

Guggenheim Museum

02.

Descriptionof the Building

Location, Client and Use

• Designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright between 1943 and 1959.
• Located on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
• Initially proposed by Hilla Rebay as a new home for Solomon R. Guggenheim's Museum of Non-Objective Painting.
• Represents a testament to Wright's architectural genius and the adventurous spirit of its founders.

02. Guggenheim Museum

Plan and Elevation

• Innovative design featuring a warm beige spiral rising from Fifth Avenue.
• Exterior facade characterized by a smooth, white surface with horizontal bands of windows.

• Interior mimics the organic form of a seashell with a continuous ramp spiraling upwards around a central atrium.
• Unique central geometry crafted to facilitate visitors' exploration of the museum's collection.

02. Guggenheim Museum

• Gunite used for the exterior of spiral curved walls, contributing to a seamless monolithic facade.
• Steel-framed windows, aluminum skylights, and cement plaster soffits on metal lath enhance structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Materials and Structure

• Constructed primarily of reinforced concrete.

• Normal weight cast-in-place concrete for lower levels, lightweight concrete for interior radial walls and ramps.

02. Guggenheim Museum

Materials and Symbolism

• Integration of materials reflects Wright's vision of creating a harmonious dialogue between architecture and surroundings.
• Oval-shaped columns and inlaid terrazzo floors evoke themes of circularity and continuity.
• Choice of materials and forms elevates the museum beyond mere structure, transforming it into a profound artistic statement.

Keywords

1. Integration
2. Circularity
3. Continuity
4. Fusion of Form
5. Emotional Resonance

02. Guggenheim Museum

Visitor Experience and Light

• Immersive experience engaging visitors on a sensory level.
• Interplay of light and space draws visitors towards the glass dome crowning the central atrium.

• Originally intended natural light through skylights later changed to artificial lighting for more control.
• Natural light floods the space, illuminating artworks along the ramp walls and creating a dynamic visual spectacle.
• Narrow skylights filter indirect light into galleries, enhancing the connection between art and architecture.

03. Comparison

Guggenheim Museum VS Robie House

1. Architectural Style

• The Robie House exemplifies Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style, characterized by horizontal lines, integration with the landscape, and an emphasis on organic unity between the structure and its furnishings.
• The Guggenheim Museum showcases Wright's later organic architecture, characterized by its dynamic, spiraling form and the fusion of geometric shapes with natural elements.

2. Function and Use

• The Robie House was designed as a residential dwelling, with meticulous attention to detail in both the living spaces and the service areas.
• The Guggenheim Museum serves as an art museum, specifically designed to house Solomon R. Guggenheim's collection of non-objective art, with its unique spiral layout intended to facilitate the viewing experience.

• The Robie House's materials and design elements are inspired by the horizontal lines of the American prairie landscape, emphasizing a connection with nature.
• The Guggenheim Museum's materials and form symbolize modernist ideals and reflect Wright's vision of creating a harmonious dialogue between architecture and its urban surroundings.

Symbolism and Integration with Surroundings

03. Comparison

Materials and Structure

• The Robie House features a combination of materials such as Chicago common brick, Roman brick veneer, steel structure, and Ludowici tile roofing.
• The Guggenheim Museum primarily utilizes reinforced concrete, lightweight concrete, gunite, steel-framed windows, aluminum skylights, and cement plaster soffits.

03. Comparison

• The Robie House emphasizes natural light through its extensive use of art-glass windows and the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a dynamic interplay between light and shadow.
• The Guggenheim Museum prioritizes controlled artificial lighting to enhance the viewing experience of artworks displayed along its spiral ramp, although originally intended for natural light.

Visitor Experience and Light

Frank Lloyd Wright

The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.

Thank youfor your attention

Any questions?